It snowed...first small dry flakes came down and later some fluffy ones. I did not venture outside at all yesterday. We may have gotten an inch of snow...not much by Minnesota snowfall standards. Today I will clean off the walk and the patio.
A snowflake at Jen and Andys home a few years ago.
We had a quiet day yesterday...talked with two of our Grands on the phone. I finished a couple of crochet projects that will be gifts.
Far Guy cooked supper; Chicken Alfredo and carrots.
Far Side
We figured we would just kinda hang out yesterday. Ended up making two trips to town...ordered some stocking stuffers and misc stuff and could not get suet for the birds...ordered that from another place to pick up later in the day. Lots of people in town Main Street was packed.
We always have deep conversations while in the car.
How much was an issue of Grit back in the day. Was it weekly? yes... Far Guy says he was almost a Grit Delivery Boy but he had to be gone for the summer so that didn't work out for him.
The conversation turned to other Newspaper Delivery Boys like the one who showed up at our home in North Moorhead every Friday night to collect. Far Guy said his friend Danny delivered for the Star Tribune and got in big trouble when he spent all the money on some kind of candy that was in a chocolate cup that had a paper square with points on that you could collect...and Danny had a big box full...was that Valomilk?? or some other candy...??
Anyways I recall reading Grit from front to back sometimes more than once before the next issue came. I read where in the 1960's it cost 20 cents and the sales boy got to keep 7 cents. On the application it says are you a boy? How sexist is that? As if girls couldn't sell as well as boys.
So much for our exciting day.
Far Side
Update: The candy was Mallow Cups, they came with a cardboard piece that could be saved up for more candy. Far Guy says "A five cent coupon now sells for ten dollars on ebay."
I finally got the Nativity scene finished.
It sits on the fireplace mantle. Far Guy made me the creche years ago...and I used to go to ceramics once a week ...so this Nativity set was done there.
It wouldn't be Christmas without this piece being displayed.
The days seem to be flying by... soon it will be Christmas!
Far Side
Yesterday I picked up groceries curbside and then put gas in the vehicle and then waited for Far Guy to come out of the Infusion Center. They stopped taking temperatures and just ask you questions now about Covid; have you been exposed, been around anyone with Covid, do you have an symptoms of Covid and do you have a Covid test which results are pending? Go figure...of course throughout the whole Pandemic things have been fluid and ever changing.
We headed downtown to see what was happening on Main Street. This is the new tree.
Even the heart that says Cindy Lou and the Grinch is upside down.
There is a new tree in Pioneer Park.
At least it is a tree.
Not nearly as pretty as the one that blew over in the wind and was too damaged to be saved.
Then we dropped off some Christmas Ornaments for friends...tied one bunch around the drivers handle of a vehicle and the other on the handle of a garage door. It kinda felt like May Day!
This ornament was a gift from a dear friend...it was hanging on her garage door for me to pick up. It is fabric. Being a non seamstress I have yet to figure it out.
Grocery pickup was ok...missing oranges, yogurt, and Outshine Fruit Bars. After disinfecting everything at home and washing Far Guys town clothing I went to my office on the couch to crochet until it was time to fix supper; salad and Philly Cheese pretzel buns.
Yes I still make Far Guy take all his clothing off that he wears to town and insist that he wash up real good. We have heard of several people that have gotten Covid at a clinic...so he tries to be real careful not to touch anything...but he still has to press the buzzer to get into the Center and sit in their chair. He disinfects his hands twice in the Center and then when I pick him up I hand him a Lysol wipe. It is all we can do to try to keep safe.
Far Side
I was very busy all day...good thing I can multi task, Laundry, cleaning the bathroom, waiting on "hold" with horrid music twice...someone else was not doing their job...so I got that straightened out over the phone. I ran some papers up to she who sees robins first and she faxed them for me....so that saved me a trip to town. I mixed up more yummy peanut butter and black sunflower seeds for the birds. Took care of a number of things that were just loose ends...I got them all wrapped up. Late in the afternoon I went for a ride on the trails and down to the lake. The temperature was in the 30's...a nice day! I came back to packages stacked by the door. Cooked a beef roast and baked carrots for supper...Far Guy did the mashed potatoes and I made the gravy.
This photo is now a puzzle!
Jinx had a nap on the empty dining room table...the sunflower table runner is gone as are all the odds and ends that collect there from time to time. I also took down the sunflower valance in the kitchen...time for a flannel valance with loons.
I have a Christmas table runner that my Mom made for me. I do have a Christmas basket someplace or maybe I packed it up for a garage sale...anyways I found that the mesh tray shows off the table runner just perfectly! Jinx is keeping my woodcarved Santa company...that Santa is the largest piece I have ever carved.
I heard there was an armed robbery in town...another good reason to stay out of the stores.
Far Side
We had to travel 96 miles to straighten out something because someone was not doing their job correctly. When we got there we asked them "Why" they said "We have no idea and this is the first time this has ever happened." We got it straightened out and drove 96 miles back home again. Of course they made many apologies.
The first part of the drive was very frosty. We saw Bald Eagles and Vultures on a deer carcass. We saw someones prize bull had been hit by a car...we wondered what the car looked like. I took a photo of the big old bull but shall spare you.
As you can see we have hardly any snow. On the way back there were some interesting clouds.
We enjoyed the warm afternoon...I think it broke some records.
I managed to make it to the Post Office before we left so all the Christmas cards and packages have been mailed. I think the gal that works in the Post Office had a partial lobotomy.... as I handed over the bag with 130 Christmas cards she asked "Are any of them overweight?" I smiled and replied "Weigh them all if you wish." She threw the bag on the floor and sighed. At least this time she was wearing a mask...however people that came in to check their mail boxes were not. I almost asked one guy what his problem was with masks...but I decided to keep my big mouth shut...and that was really REALLY hard for me...so I just bit the inside of my cheek (I am certain my lip quivered) and glared at him.
A bit of history...my lip quivers if I am really really angry. I am going to practice my evil eye look in the mirror until I get it perfected.
Far Side
Odd jobs and "stuff" kept me busy all day long. The Christmas cards are stamped and sealed and ready to go to the Post Office as are the woodcarvings! I did some laundry and put some "stuff" away. Made some phone calls. Called to see when the new fridge will arrive...not until mid January....at least our old one is still working...sometimes freezing something on the top shelf for no real reason...but I can live with that. Balanced bank accounts and paid bills.
Thought about decorating for Christmas.
I did this a few days ago.
It looks more cheerful at night.
Meanwhile Jinx is up to no good. Pointing out things that need to be done!
He will be off to some other area of the house soon.
It was a real frosty day...very pretty outside...but no sunshine.
Far Side
The winners for the ornament are the gals with these comments! Congratulations!!
Bev
Our youngest daughter and my sister are having a Christmas Gluten Free Baking Adventure. They hiked over to visit. They are baking at my baby brothers lake home.
We visited outside on the patio.
My sister and her Boston Terrier
They brought gifts.
My sister made potholders for my birthday...they are too pretty to use! Chex mix and a yummy Rolo, pecan, pretzel treat. All Gluten Free as they both have Celiac Disease... it comes from my Fathers side of the family...so far I have escaped it.
Soon they got cold and left. They had many more gluten free recipes to try. Shortly before they came over they baked some Ginger Snaps and were not sure if they were going to be Ginger Snaps or Ginger Folds.
Nice to have company.
Far Side
Jinx escaped out of the Christmas decoration box...
He was lounging in the empty wreath next to the door...soaking in some sunshine and wondering if he should chop something down.
I am certain he had nothing to do with the tree in town that sadly is too damaged to be raised from the street.
Our mild December weather continued one more day...the shady spots still have snow.
I did some laundry and then we both worked on Christmas cards...writing a few notes in some of them. I delivered a Christmas card and an ornament to one of the neighbors....they were not home but will find a bag attached to their door knob when they return. Then I headed over to the nearby cemetery and got a few photos...it is at 96 % photographed right now. There are still 13 graves there that are difficult to find. I am going to have to give up and phone a friend who might have a map of the cemetery.
Far Side
Curbside grocery pickup was a success...we got everything on our list. It was a miracle! I got gas for the car and went through the car wash...we are having weather that is about 40 F during the day...I will take it. Far Guy called me for his ride while I was inside the car wash. He waited outside the clinic in the sunshine for me.
We drove down Main Street to see the 2020ed tree.
At home groceries were disinfected and fruit washed...even the bananas. Did you know if you scrub bananas vigorously they turn all funny...one week Far Guy said "What in the world is wrong with the bananas?" A gentle rinse is what they get now.
So we are all set for a while or at least another week. I even ordered some stocking stuffers for the Grands.
The Covid numbers are very scary in our area. I wonder if another lock down is imminent...Dial Back/ Gov Walz solution to the pandemic doesn't seem to be working very well here in Minnesota. Stay safe out there!
If you have not entered the drawing for the hand carved one of a kind ornament then leave a comment here and you shall be entered.
I will be drawing winners on Saturday! So I can get them mailed out the next week.
Far Side
I have a feeder that I use in the winter for the Chickadees. I mix up generic peanut butter ( NO Skippy for them birds!) and black sunflower seeds. I mix up the goopy mess in a bowl and take it outside and spoon the mixture into the feeder. Sometimes I am swarmed by the Chickadees as the feeder is placed back on its hook.
What do you suppose he is saying?
Chickadees always seem like happy little birds.
The meatloaf puff pastry was a failure...Far Guy picked his meatloaf out of the pastry. It surprised me as I thought it was a great meal. I am usually the person who doesn't like something...not him.
For those of you who nap in the late afternoon...do you have a hard time figuring out if it is night or day? Since it gets dark at 4 PM on cloudy days if I am napping late in the day....I have to figure out if it is day or night by what I am wearing. Now if Far Guy wakes me up and says "Supper is all ready sweetheart." then I know it is night time.
We are discussing a Christmas Tree...no one will be visiting...so it seems redundant. I just don't know. My plan is to decorate the house a little at a time and see how it goes.
Far Side
While Far Guy was woodcarving and then napping I took off and went to a couple of cemeteries.
I take photos in two sometimes three cemeteries for Find A Grave. I also transcribe obituaries if I have them. I have a backlog of obits to enter ...a good winter project.
My Aunt Anna's funeral was live streamed on Monday. I wanted to visit her grave...so I did. It was a chilly day.
I worked over in the shady snowy spots last summer. Yesterday I just walked in the non snowy parts.
Pickerel Lake Cemetery
This is a very familiar spot for me....high on the hill...I have come to this spot since I was a little girl. The fence used to be right where I was standing to take this photo....now that area has been cleared for a road and more graves.
I visited a few more graves and then went to a different cemetery close to home. I made yet another list for that cemetery. In my leaving no stone un turned I discovered that an old friend's obit was missing ...so I transcribed that for approval.
The stone gate at Linnell Cemetery
It sounds like the weather is going to be great the rest of the week...I may be able to get a few more photos before winter snows settle in.
One cemetery they say is 94 % photographed but no one is entering new info...so I just wander around until I find new graves or new headstones...people drive by and honk.:) The cemetery on the hill is only 47 % photographed...so it is a real work in progress..it is so far out of the way that no one ever shows up while I am there.
Far Side
Last week one night we took a trip down main street to see the tree.
We both remarked that it was a very tall tree. Taller than most years. ( Yes there are parking spots on both sides of the street and in the center of the street)
On Sunday morning it was real windy.
The tree came down. Luckily no cars were coming up the street. As far as I know this has never happened before. I guess even trees can be 2020ed ...what a year it has been.
Rumor has it that they will put it upright again. We will see.
Does your town have a Christmas Tree? Has it ever blown over? Share the answers to those questions to be entered in the drawing for this years woodcarved ornament. You can also send me an email if you prefer. captainconnie2001atyahoodotcom
Far Side
We had a quiet day yesterday, I worked on sympathy cards and Far Guy worked on a woodcarving. Church online was fine...the Pastor read Christmas Hymns.
On Saturday we went down to the lake to check out the ice...there is some but the lake is not froze over. It was a pretty day on Saturday and 40 F....Sunday it turned cold, windy and it spit snow all day.
Jen sent a photo of Cee Cee.
What a doll.
Down at the lake the Cattails are fluffed out. In these strange times you could collect it and use it for insulation in your shoes if the soles need a little help...you could also use it as diaper material...and if you need a natural cotton ball you could collect a few.
Far Side
We drove up North. Our Great Granddaughter Cee Cee was baptized last evening.
The baptismal gown has been packed away in the trunk since it was worn by Great Grandson Hey Mikey for his baptism. The gown hung in the living room all week. The cap had blue ribbon but Jen brought some pink ribbon along with her.
We met Jen, Andy and Cee Cee in the parking lot of the church...everyone else was inside at Mass. I changed out the ribbon and Jen dressed Cee Cee in the backseat of her vehicle. (luckily it was reasonably warm 40 F)
Jen and I both wore masks...I stayed a distance away and just watched.
The gown fit just fine. (Big sigh of relief) For those of you who don't know...this baptismal gown was made out of my wedding dress....next door neighbor Jo and I made it.
I knew that my big girl camera wouldn't like the dark so I used my cell phone to take a few photos.
Jen and Cee Cee
Saying Hi to Great Grandpa.
Other family members were already in the church. We did not go inside..we felt that it would be unnecessary exposure for Far Guy. We left for home as Jen and Andy walked toward the church with Cee Cee.
Andy took a video for us ...so it was almost as good as being there. The important thing was that she was baptized. We got to deliver the gown and see her dressed in it.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19
Far Side
Jen took a photo of the Grands lined up.
Left to right oldest to youngest.
Left to right tallest to shortest.
They are Adam = in school and working, Noah = working, Paige = working and waiting to get into a school program, Maddie = working and Savannah = in school and working.
We are thankful they all have jobs and homes/apartments and are healthy!
There was a bit of a tallness challenge between Paige and Maddie...Maddie was disappointed that she lost.
Sometimes I still see them as small children.
We are blessed to have them in our lives!
Far Side
We visited via zoom with daughter Jen and her husband Andy and all of our Grands and our two Great Grands...it was wonderful to see them all. We had a good visit.
Far Guy and I roasted that 8 pound Turkey Breast...we have turkey coming out our ears...enough to have sandwiches, biscuits and gravy and who knows what for a number of meals. I like turkey... but once a year works for me.
For fun I joined Jigsaw Planet and made some puzzles. Some I made are more difficult than others. I will get the hang of it sooner or later. I like puzzles and with the online ones there are no pieces to lose.
I hope you all are staying safe out there!
Far Side
